8 ways to give your vagina some much-needed and well-deserved TLC

Let’s be real — as far as friends go, your vagina’s a pretty great one. The best, even! And, listen, she does plenty of stuff for you that warrants a little TLC in return. In fact, knowing how to keep your vagina happy should be a priority, given the alternative. So go ahead and give your best girl some of the attention she has so rightfully earned and deserved with these easy ideas.

1. Put on some comfy panties

Because vaginas are naturally dark and moist, keeping them covered 24/7 can cause more moisture to collect and create a prime breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. Don’t worry, though; comfy panties will give your girl some breathing room. Of course, nothing can compare with ditching everything down there and just going commando! So go on — set your vagina free. She’ll thank you for it later.

2. Get to know yourself

There’s this really comical scene in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes during which the main character takes a mirror and tries to get a glimpse of her girl parts as part of a group class for women dealing with intimacy issues. The scene itself is funny, but the subject matter always seemed kind of offbeat to me too — until recently. Have you ever really gotten a mirror and given your vagina a good look? This is actually important for a multitude of reasons, the main being it’ll help you pinpoint potential problems quickly. Just don’t forget to stretch first.

3. Get to, ahem, know yourself

C’mon, we couldn’t have a list like this and not include masturbation, could we? Not only is solo sex incredibly rewarding (you’re a winner every time, woohoo!), but research shows it also has plenty of health benefits, too. For starters, solo sessions during your period can put the kibosh on cramps, thanks to a potent chemical cocktail consisting of norepinephrine, serotonin and oxytocin. The magic of masturbation doesn’t end there, though: It can also help you fall asleep as well as stave off UTIs.

5. Kegels

Just like every other muscle in your body, your vagina will benefit from a good workout. Not only does a regular dose of Kegels help strengthen your pelvic floor, but it can also lead to much better orgasms. That alone makes it totally worth your time, right?

6. Indulge in a vaginal massage

Yep, this is totally a thing. Interestingly, despite the fact women are constantly told we should be doing Kegels (which, admittedly, are useful) to tighten our pelvic muscles, some women carry too much tension in this zone. And, just like any other muscle in your body that is wound too tight, your vagina can benefit from a good massage. Called a Yoni — the Sanskrit word for vagina — massage, you can do this pretty easily yourself. However, if you’d rather leave it to the pros, there are professionals specializing in vaginal massage.

7. Practice protection

Image: Giphy

If you are a sexually active woman, your vagina wants you to use protection. Do condoms keep you from getting pregnant? Yep. Do they protect against STDs? You betcha. Bonus round: Did you know condoms also help maintain your vagina’s pH level? This helps create an environment healthy enough for the good bacteria to thrive and, in turn, fend off yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

8. Yoga

Believe it or not, yoga can even whip your vagina into shape. Poses like the Wide-Legged Straddle and the Goddess can get the blood flowing to your lady bits and help your reproductive organs function better.